Album News

[MindsOnLoan]

Well neoncrossing, Duncan did sit in on the Naveed sessions. He just didn't join the band when he got the invitation because he wanted to finish college before recording and touring...

As far as Raine's falsetto goes, I don't see it as him "growing up" or "losing angst." For example, we didn't really see it on Gravity (besides the "I remember feeling low, etc, etc. on Innocent), but it made a bit of a comeback on HIPT. And no matter what age you are or how mature you are, there is still something that gets you fired up or angst-y, whether it's a past experience, a relationship, or more recently, the war. He even used the falsetto in softer, more laid back songs like "4am," "Are You Sad?," etc. As long as someone cares about something, there will be angst.

Also, I'm glad someone brought up Pearl Jam, as I had that in mind as well. They've done a bit of experimenting throughout the years, but on their 2006 self-titled they made a return to the sound of their first couple of albums, and I can especially here some "Ten" in there. However, this album did have a feel in there that set it apart from their old work as well, which I feel that if OLP wanted to, they could do the same thing with Naveed. Although I see the "similarities to Naveed" referring to how it's recorded, not the actual sound (although it may a little bit)...

[myownsatellite]

[Lando]

[MindsOnLoan]

I wasn't saying Steve wasn't a good guy or that he couldn't play, nor was I saying he's completely to blame for their less unique sound... Bob Rock was to blame for a massive portion of it.

However, being good at an instrument doesn't make someone a good musician. Someone's uniqueness and innovative styles when recording and on stage is what makes someone a good musician. Any musician with enough experience can play anything, but it takes a good musician to write the great music being played..

I was simply saying I haven't seen much from Mazur yet. Much of that is probably Bob's doing, but it'll be interesting to see how Steve does now that he doesn't have a barrier set in front of him.

[Kicker774]

Back on the subject of Raines voice ...

I've been watching The Who specials all week seeing Daltry and Townshend back in the day and currently.

While they may not be able to hit that note today the way they could yesterday they still put so much passion into their work that they almost force the note. If it sounds raspy then who the fuck cares it still fucking rocks!!

Take a listen to Raines solo work.
Listen to Careful What You Wish For and listen to the passion he puts into the vocals. Especially live.

Sex Love Honey has some Falsettoing in it as does China Doll even if it's a lower octave I guess you could say. But that may not had been what he was going for being more of a 'spoken word' based album.

While it's not his trademark high pitched "EIIIII" like we hear in like Car Crash he still can fill the room with his voice and go back to a whisper and make it work fantastic in the song.

But if their going back to their roots to Naveed the flasettos from Clumsy and Happiness really don't belong there.

It appears Raine and the rest of the guys are having a good time with this album. Their in a good mood and it's not being forced. Raine has the ultimate say in the creative process so I don't see any reason why this next album couldn't rank right up there with Naveed.

[myownsatellite]

Regarding Steve: Well, like you said, he hasn't really had a chance to be innovative yet, so I think it's pretty unfair to knock him so hard for it. Being disappointed in him for something that isn't necessarily his doing is pretty shitty. I think a musician needs talent and charisma, and I think he has both of those. So he hasn't had a chance to be OMG MIKE TURNER yet. So what? That doesn't mean he's not a musician.

[faninor]

Steve was hardly involved with recording Gravity, by the way.

[myownsatellite]

Seriously.
Also, I've never heard anyone on this board ever say they were unhappy with Steve or disappointed until this thread. Where the heck is all of this coming from? I had my reservations at the start but I think he's more than proven himself worthy of being in OLP by now and honestly, I am happy that they chose Steve.

[neoncrossing]

Steve Rocks!!!!!!!

[Kicker774]

Yea I don't think Steve did much more than play on Gravity. I don't remember how much Mike contributed to the writing or the guitar work.

That could be why it's somewhat of a pale album as far as guitar goes. Nothing really sticks out as far as the guitar work goes on Gravity. Like Steve was just playing it but really didn't know it because he didn't write it.

HIPT seems to have alot more guitar riffs in it. More ad libbing or making it your song.

The guy is always smiling and seems like he's always having a blast. that can only mean good things.

Besides Birdman - State Theatre, Detroit
good lord does he fucking own that song. The energy being put off by that guy was just incredible!

[faninor]

I think Steve only appears on about 2 songs on Gravity, playing rhythm guitar. I'm guessing that most of the guitar on the album was performed by Jamie Edwards, but Mike was probably almost as much involved with the songwriting as usual.

[Soozy]

It's so long ago that I don't remember many details, but Josh is right - Jamie did most of the guitar work on Gravity and never really got credited for it. I'm pretty sure the guitar parts on Gravity were written by Raine and Jamie, though I'm not sure who did how much and there are one or two that Mike had a hand in before he left.

PS I <3 Steve

[Driven]

The concern that I have with Steve is not that he's not a good guitarist, but is he unique and vocal enough to push and mesh with Raine and create a great sound? Obviously he didn't seem to have much say or impact in the last two records (hell, neither did Jeremy, drums were basically non-existent on Gravity), likely due to Raine and Bob Rock, but will he push his talents enough on the next record? Is he a good song writer? The jury's still out on him.

To put the blame completely on Bob Rock for the last two records is a cop out, IMO.

[MindsOnLoan]

Okay, you keep putting words in my mouth (err.. post). I don't hate Steve, nor do I think he's a bad guitarist. And I never said that I don't consider him a musician. You're misinterpreting what I'm saying. I was simply saying I'm a bit worried about him because I haven't really got to see him shine. In a way, this is Steve's first OLP album. I'm just a bit nervous/excited to see what he's capable of without Rock producing. We haven't been able to see how creative Steve truly is, which is why I'm showing some concern.

[Heavy Alibi]

I'd like to throw my opinion in here about Steve. I think he has great talent, the guitar work on Angels/Losing/Sleep was great, but since Rock was producing Steve wasn't able to show us his full potential.

Also, Steve seems to have taken the place of Mike as the "fan contact", as he's been giving us all the updates on the new album. He's said in some of these posts that making this record has been "much much better than making HIPT".

Remember the "making of HIPT" featurette that came with the CD? Remember the part where Steve went off somewhere and was depressed? It's obvious that Rock's involvement depressed them all.

And I think we're forgetting LIVE PERFORMANCES here. Steve may not be as good as Mike at playing their earlier stuff, like Starseed, but he's really good. His 2006 performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of "Superman's Dead" was awesome.

Let's give Steve some room to breathe and let's just wait to see how he fares out on his "first OLP album".

[Heavy Alibi]

Just another note, I created a new thread regarding TOP 2 FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE SONGS from each album:

Please check it out :

http://www.clumsymonkey.net/phpBB2/view ... highlight=

[Tattooed Angels]

On the topic of Steve.

He played on 3 songs on Gravity
Somewhere Out There
Sorry

and I am sorry, but I forgot the 3rd one. I think is may of been Made Of Steel. I asked him years ago about it.

As for the new cd. Steve has come into his own as being OLP's LEAD guitarist. Even though he toured for Gravity he really did not sit in on the recordsing much beyond the few songs he played on..

For HIPT. He really wasn't a sessioned studio musican and it was extremely difficult for him.. That is why Joel was brought in and played on the cd and tour..

This will be the first CD where Steve is 100% involved with the process from writing to recording..

As for it sounding like or having the Naveed Feel. I think by that they mean the rawness Naveed had. Naveed was raw and rocking. It almost was if they recording it without alot of do-overs etc. Alot of this cd was recording FOUR ON THE FLOOR if I remember correctly. Where they all record there parts together as a band and not indiviually then put together by a producer..

I am very much looking forward to this cause it will be the first CD Raine produced entirely on his own without the help of Arnold or Bob,.. I have no doubt it will be interesting piece of music and I very much look forward to seeing where the band has come in their careers.

Since the last cd they all have worked with other artists as producers, players and writers. Jeremy had his whole Taggarts Take. Curious to see what part of the solo ventures come to the table with the band.

They all have grown in the last few years personally and professionally..

[myownsatellite]

[crustine]

[xjsb125]